Hank Nichols: Rest in Peace!

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Hank Nichols passed away this past Friday, March 27th. For those who do not know who Hank was:

He was the first NCAA Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officials from 1987 to 2008.

He was the first NCAA Men’s Basketball Secretary-Rules Editor from 1991 to 1997.

He officiated then NCAA Men’s Division Final Fours, including a record six National Championship Games.

He officiated three NIT Championship Games.

He is the only official to officiate the NCAA and the NIT Championship Games in the same year.

He officiated two Summer Olympiads.

In 2012, he was inducted as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

I had the pleasure of hearing Hank speak many times at IAABO Conferences and several times personally regarding rules interpretations at the men's college level.

At one IAABO Conference, some 30 years ago, a young official (not me, I was no longer young) asked him: "When do you know when it is time to T a coach?" Hank answsered immediately: "When he acts like a jerk?" I could not have given better advice and it was pure Hank Nichols.

MTD, Sr.